When is the Perfect Time to Travel in the Philippines?
Nothing is quite sadder than having planned a much-awaited vacation in a beautiful town in the Philippines and not having travel-friendly weather when the time came. While we cannot control the weather, the best we can do is to subscribe to the country’s general forecasts and seasonal changes and plan your next weekend getaway accordingly.
To guide you in scheduling your out-of-town trip, we have assembled these basic know-hows on when is the best time to explore the Philippines. Read on to know more!
Travel during the dry months of November to May.
The Philippines is a tropical country with only two seasons: the wet and the dry season. The dry season is the time of the year when there is low rainfall, and it is considered the perfect time to travel to the different tourist destinations in the country. You can fully maximize your time and the outdoor activities you can do without the worry of it raining.
More than just practicality, some tourist destinations are better visited during the dry seasons, as well. For example, the famous Chocolate Hills in Bohol is the most beautiful during the dry season when they turn a gorgeous chocolate brown color.
Of course, the weather is unpredictable and it could rain at any time during the year. You should still make sure of the weather in your destined area by following the general weather forecast for the day.
Avoid the typhoon months of September and October.
Typhoons are a regularity in the Philippines, but most especially during the months of September and October when the heavy rains are most frequent. During these months, the waves get pretty rough and it is sometimes not advisable to travel by boat. So if you’re planning an island-hopping vacation, chances are your trip may be getting canceled.
Some areas in the Philippines are much more frequented by typhoons than the others. Regions in the eastern part of the country, such as the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas islands like Samar and Leyte, and some provinces in Northern Luzon. It is best to schedule your trip to these areas during the dry months.
Some areas, on the other hand, are rarely hit by typhoons and are perfect to visit all year round. Palawan and the provinces of Mindanao have generally agreeable weather and are largely free of typhoons.
Avoid the peak months of March and May.
If you do not like traveling during the busy months (who does?), it is recommended to avoid the months of March and May. During these months, there are several global holidays that bring in an influx of both local and foreign tourists. December is also a hectic month because of the many people that like planning a vacation during the Christmas holidays.
For outdoorsy getaways to places such as beaches, mountains, and nature parks, it is recommended to travel during the months of February, April, and November. These months usually have great weather and are relatively quieter, so you can enjoy your stay with the place all to yourselves.
Take note of the town’s festival dates.
One key tip for those who travel to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the country is to visit a town during its fiestas and festivals. Each town in the Philippines celebrates its history and its culture with unique and colorful festivals. Playing all-year-round are electric celebrations that you should experience at least once in your lifetime.
Some festivals are famous across the country and even bring in foreign tourists from all over the world. The Panagbenga Festival is the vibrant and month-long flower festival in Baguio City. Sinulog Festival is a cultural masterpiece with several peppy street parties in Cebu City. And in Bacolod City is the explosive MassKara Festival with its carnivalesque celebrations and colorful mask parades.
Those are some of our trips on how to work your calendar for your next adventure across the different provinces of this gorgeous archipelago. We have to admit, though: the Philippines is a beautiful country no matter what time of the year, and exploring its many locations is something we would like to do every day.
Do you have any other tips for the aspiring traveler of the Philippines? Share them with us down below!
